"Septuagenarian" hitch dolly

[Puma26RLSS]

OK, I am almost 79, and recently experienced an SI joint problem and pulled a back muscle changing a tire on my 26 ft dual axle boat trailer. So, my chiropractor suggested I watch how and what I am lifting these days, especially if it is heavy and low to the ground requiring a stoop or bend. Yes, we must lift and lower with our legs mostly, but sometimes, try as we might, the back gets involved. My travel trailer hitch with WDH fittings is pretty heavy, so I designed a dolly on which I can stow it and just roll it out to the truck. At that point I just need to lift the shaft about an inch and then slide the hitch into position. Built it on a small flat wheeled dolly from Northern Tool and just screwed on short 2x4's until I got the height I needed. Placed the 2x4 "towers" so the hitch weight pretty much keeps it in position. Thought maybe some other septuagenarians out there might have a similar need.

[rjshiflet]

Great idea - thanks for sharing. I'm about five years behind you and finding that we do need to get just a bit creative as we age or "mellow", whatever the case.

[Oaklevel]

Looks great. (As long as you have a concrete or asphalt drive.)

[Brandoni]

Yupp!!
Getting old does s**k . . .
Thanks for the tip . . . it'll be useful soon.
Glad you found your needed solution!!

[kenandterry]

We live near a rather large wine region, so we don’t get old…..we get vintage!

However……approaching these years is not for woosies.

Great invention.

[n1acguy]

Originally Posted by Puma26RLSS

OK, I am almost 79, and recently experienced an SI joint problem and pulled a back muscle changing a tire on my 26 ft dual axle boat trailer. So, my chiropractor suggested I watch how and what I am lifting these days, especially if it is heavy and low to the ground requiring a stoop or bend. Yes, we must lift and lower with our legs mostly, but sometimes, try as we might, the back gets involved. My travel trailer hitch with WDH fittings is pretty heavy, so I designed a dolly on which I can stow it and just roll it out to the truck. At that point I just need to lift the shaft about an inch and then slide the hitch into position. Built it on a small flat wheeled dolly from Northern Tool and just screwed on short 2x4's until I got the height I needed. Placed the 2x4 "towers" so the hitch weight pretty much keeps it in position. Thought maybe some other septuagenarians out there might have a similar need.

Nice!

What I'm most impressed with is that you're just now gonna start taking it easy!
At 65 I've been nursing my arthritic body for years. Oh well, genes.
I have put many of those carpet dollies to use in a similar way over the years. I have at least a half dozen of those things with various garage items on them. My philosophy is just to lift it once, and then it rolls.
Mr Haney, (the great improvisor from Green Acres) would be proud of you.
Keep up the back saving innovations

[Puma26RLSS]

Thanks everyone. I do appreciate your kind words about my little dolly. Slowing down has been very gradual; we've been kept in the thick of things travel-wise by relatives in southern California that need our help with medical support, as well as just plain old family lovin'. We've driven from Florida to California three times in the last five years---2018, 2021, and 2022. Made it on to Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota in 2018. On to Utah in 2021, but 2022 pretty much "kicked our butt." We did I-10 out and back with occasional multiday rest stops and copious Buc-cee's visits, but it was a grind. Quartzite, AZ in 110-degree heat...ouch! And I encountered a tarantula in a restaurant urinal in Deming, NM! That got my attention! Think we'll try public transportation this year! Nonetheless, we are doing what we can to stay in the RV world even if it is for shorter trips around the southeast. Did four nights at Stephen Foster folk Cultural Center State Park in north Florida last week. Stay safe out there. Give us a knock on the door if you see this rig out there.

[Bob K4TAX]

I like your dolly idea. I'm 80 soon to be 81, I hope. Yep, that hitch is heavy. That's what we use. I'll give it some thought as to how it might work for me.

Bob